Not Recognizing Acromegaly Symptoms Delays Diagnosis

Akromegali Belirtilerini Fark Etmemek Tanıyı Geciktiriyor

Stating that although acromegaly has very prominent symptoms and signs, the diagnosis of the disease is made late, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu pointed out that the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis is delayed up to 5-10 years in studies. In this sense, she stated that social awareness should be increased and made important statements on the occasion of "Acromegaly Awareness Day".

Acromegaly, also commonly known as "growth disease", can occur in children and adolescents or in adulthood. Acromegaly, a rare metabolic disease, usually occurs as a result of excessive secretion of growth hormone by a benign tumor originating from the pituitary gland. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu pointed out that the risk of developing heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some cancers increases due to delay in the diagnosis of the disease.

Shortens Life Span If Untreated

Stating that excessive secretion of growth hormone seen in acromegaly causes important diseases in the body, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu stated, "Heart enlargement, heart failure and cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cerebrovascular diseases are some examples. In addition, it has been shown that due to uncontrolled growth, thyroid nodules and polyp formation in the intestine increase, and the incidence of malignant tumors of the large intestine, breast, and thyroid gland increases. Pointing out that acromegaly is a disease that shortens life expectancy if left untreated for all these reasons, She also stated that although acromegaly has very prominent symptoms and signs, studies have shown that the diagnosis of the disease can be delayed by 5-10 years from the onset of symptoms.

Slow Appearance of Symptoms Delays Diagnosis

Explaining that the most important reason for late diagnosis is the slow progression of the disease, the slow emergence of symptoms, and that patients and their relatives cannot notice physical changes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu provided the following information:

"One of the most effective ways to recognize symptoms is to look at old photographs. When looking at old photographs, for example, major changes in the face can be seen clearly. However, patients apply to the physician in the relevant branches according to their complaints. For example, dentists for dental problems, ENT or pulmonologists for snoring problems, physiotherapists, or orthopedists for joint problems. Therefore, it is important that physicians in these specialties also recognize the symptoms and signs of acromegaly.

Rings Get More Tighter, Shoe Size Increase...

According to the information given by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu, excessive secretion of growth hormone leads to excessive growth in tissues and organs in the body. If this excessive secretion develops in childhood and adolescence, when growth is not yet complete and bone growth has not stopped, the patient may develop excessive height growth (gigantism). When this condition occurs in adulthood, after the closure of the growth plates, it manifests itself with symptoms such as enlargement of the hands and feet and consequently narrow rings and enlarged shoe sizes.

Stating that changes also occur in the physical appearance of the patient, Assoc. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu continued as follows: "In adults, coarsening of facial features, prominence in the chin and forehead, separation of teeth, thickening of the voice, snoring and sleep apnea syndrome due to excessive growth of soft tissues in the tongue and upper palate, decrease in sexual functions, muscle-joint pain and excessive sweating due to excessive growth in bones and muscles are common. In addition, headache and visual disturbances may also be observed due to the compression effect of the pituitary gland tumor."

Diagnosis Is Made by Laboratory Tests and Screenings

Explaining that laboratory tests and screening methods are used together for the diagnosis of patients with suspected acromegaly, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu provided the following information: "First of all, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is synthesized in the liver with the effect of growth hormone and growth hormone in the blood, is examined. If the IGF-1 level is found to be high, the growth hormone level is evaluated with a glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to these tests, MRI scanning of the pituitary gland is performed to detect the tumor from which the hormone is secreted."

Gold Standard Surgery

Stating that the first and gold standard treatment in patients whose diagnosis of acromegaly is confirmed by laboratory and screening tests is the surgical removal of the tumor from the pituitary gland, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Endocrinology Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Özlem Haliloğlu stated the following:

"In patients who cannot achieve adequate hormone control after surgery, treatment methods such as radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery can be used in the tumor area in patients with acromegaly who cannot be controlled despite drug therapy or surgery. At this point, the important thing is to make the diagnosis on time. Increasing social awareness is extremely important for early diagnosis."